An early start from Perth was rewarded with a long sunny day on the hill. First up was Carn Ghluasaid which lies next to Loch Cluanie off the A87. An excellent stalkers path makes navigation easy and near the top the only thing to look out for is the fact that the true top is adjacent to a rather steep cliff !
Near the top of this splendid mountain there are good numbers of Ptarmigan. In their summer plummage and with an absence of much snow their camouflage is excellent. I tried my best to get a decent picture of one but there is only so close you can get before they scurry off, and they are well-versed in keeping one step ahead.
The walk from Carn Ghluasaid to Sgurr nan Conbhairean is not difficult, the only word of caution is to steer reasonably clear of the cliff to the west of the ridge. On the top - on day like today - the views of beautiful Glen Affric and north to Torridon are awesome, and of course you can see out to Skye and Rhum.
The day is rounded off with a quick jaunt down and along the ridge to the out-lier of Sail Chaorainn, a very straightforward Munro. Of course at this point you are at the furthest extent of the walk and the journey from here needs some retracing of steps. But instead of going back up to the summit of Sail Chaorainn, head west and join the ridge that leads back to the A87. On a good day this is easy going and gives great views of Loch Cluanie and the famous South Glen Shiel Ridge.
